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Let's End "Witchhunt" Persecution in Uganda

Of course, there are no such things as witches or witchcraft. However, "Witchhunts" are regularly conducted by self-anointed Christian Evangelical "Healers" for their own gain and fame throughout Africa, with tragic and often fatal results for the victims who are usually the most vulnerable in the community.

TIME TO BRING AN END TO BLASPHEMY LAWS!

By going to the ICABL websiteyou can find news on victims of Blasphemy laws from all around the world, including an interactive map with detailed information on the countries’ blasphemy laws and consequences.

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In late November 2013 a woman from Kitwe, Zambia’s
second largest city, died from pneumonia after allegedly following the advice
of her pastor to stop taking her medication. Rather than advise the woman in
question to continue taking her medication he recommended that she instead pray
and fast. Faith healing was the solution he suggested, not medicine. The woman
obliged and four days later she was dead.

A person’s
religious belief can bring them comfort during times of illness but it is no
replacement for sound medical advice. Those who so strongly believe that God
wants to and is capable of healing them should question why a benevolent god
would allow disease to thrive in the first place. Religious people,
unfortunately, often avoid asking themselves such questions. And when they do,
the conclusion many come to is that God is so complex that we can never
understand his ways and that we should instead simply trust him.
Unsurprisingly, one of the best-known Bible passages (one that I memorised at a
very young age) is Proverbs 3:5-6. The verses instruct the reader to completely
trust in God, disregard their own reasoning and let God direct their path.

Ridiculous
as the events of late November may seem they almost make sense when put into
context. Having lived in Zambia for much of my life I know how highly revered
church leaders are. A pastor or priest is not just a spiritual leader but is almost
seen as a second father. More and more pastors are gaining celebrity status.
Advice from a man (or woman) of the cloth is believed to be divinely inspired
and people feel compelled to follow it.

There
are relatively few religious leaders telling congregants to stop taking their
medication but they are still a danger to society. In the Kitwe case the
illness was pneumonia but there are many reported cases of pastors advising
patients against taking medication for a far more serious condition: HIV. This
is true in Zambia (where in some cases people are led to believe that AIDS is not caused
by a virus
but is instead caused by demons), other African countries and also in the UK. Much progress has
been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS but we will never reach the goal of no
new infections with even a minority of people promoting faith as a cure, rather
than medication.

Religious
dogma has also been a hindrance in the fight against polio. The Pakistani
Taliban opposes polio vaccinations and has targeted health workers
administering the vaccine in a series of fatal attacks. In Cameroon, which had
been polio free for about five years, four new cases were reported last year and
there is evidence to show that the teachings of fundamentalist Pentecostal
pastors are to blame for the resurgence. At least 2 of the 4 people infected
with the virus were not vaccinated because their families believed they could
rely on God to provide healing and good health rather than vaccines.
Additionally, illegal Cameroonian churches have been accused of “performing
fake miracles” and “killing citizens in deadly exorcisms.”

The
actions of the unnamed Kitwe pastor are akin to murder and the same is true of
other religious leaders whose advice has led to the death of even just a single
member of their congregation. Similarly, strongly preaching against
prophylactics (as in the case of the Catholic Church and their anti-condom
stance) and therefore encouraging the spread of diseases is also akin to
murder. Any adult should know not to take the advice of their pastor over that
of medical professionals when it comes to medical matters. However, when a religious
person believes that God speaks to them through their pastor, there is pressure
on them to obey the instructions they receive. Refusal to do so can be
perceived as disobeying God and showing a lack of faith in his power. Others
question why they should continue taking their medication when they can simply
pray for a cure. All things
considered, any religious leader who advises any of their followers to choose
faith healing over the advice of a medical practitioner should face legal
action.